After all, a responsible mother wouldn't leave her child alone in such a vast ballroom. What if the child got lost?

Holden stood up, scanning the surroundings for any parents searching for a child. His attention shifted as he noticed Melon's curious gaze fixated on his mask. He bent down and asked, “What's on your mind?"

The child glanced at the mask on Holden's face, seemingly tempted to touch it. However, he held back, his expression a tad distressed.

“Everyone has one of these masks, and I want one too, but they won't give them to kids."

Holden couldn't help but smile at the child's earnest demeanor. Noting the relative emptiness around them, he removed the mask and offered it to Melon to play with.

With evident delight, Melon accepted the mask and began, "Thank you,

Mister.." But as he looked up and his gaze met Holden's unmasked face, he froze momentarily. His scrutiny intensified as he stared at him, and then he uttered, "Dad!"

Holden was surprised, He looked at Melon for a moment, thinking the kid called him Dad by mistake. He crouched down in front of the little "girl" and corrected “her", “You made a mistake, I'm not your father. You can't call anyone ‘Dad’, you know?"

Melon was obviously saddened by Holden's words. The little boy pouted in disappointment and lowered his tiny head.

He had seen his father's photo in the photo album on his mother's phone. Even though it was only a side profile photo, he could still recognize the face.

He missed his dad a lot. His mommy told him that his dad was a great soldier who was guarding the country's border and couldn't come back to see him.

Melon felt a bit down now and he lost all interest in the mask. He returned it to Holden and politely thanked him, "Thank you, Mister." Holden put the mask back on. He could tell that the child was unhappy. Holden found the little "girl" adorable, so he coaxed "her" to sit on the sofa and offered “her” pastries. He also pushed the untouched tea drink on the table towards Melon and said softly, “Try this, it's the signature drink here."

Melon's mood improved a bit at the sight of the food. He picked up the cup of tea and looked at Holden with a smile, displaying his signature dimples.

Holden's gaze lingered on the little kid's dimples for a few seconds. He remembered that his daughter had them too. Even though Adele rarely smiled, she must be as cute as the child in front of him when she did smile.

Just as Melon was about to have a sip of the tea drink, a low growl came from behind him, “You little rascal! You made it hard for me to find you!" Dressed in her witch costume, Sonia appeared behind Melon, brimming with anger. The little boy felt guilty and his whole body stiffened. He immediately put the cup down.

Before Melon could say anything to clarify, Sonia swooped him up.

With the little boy in her arms, Sonia turned to look at Holden and apologized, "I'm sorry, sir. This little boy is too self-willed and likes causing trouble."

It wasn't until he heard Sonia call Melon “little boy" that Holden realized the child was indeed a boy. The thing was, Melon was dressed as a little girl. Besides, the child was charming and adorable.

Holden nodded but didn't say anything. He just watched Sonia walk away with Melon in her arms.

On the way back, Sonia lectured the little boy.